Spain and France Welcome Idea of Britain's Return to the European Union

Sánchez said, "We will open our arms to Britain."

Following Macron's first state visit to Spain, the two neighboring countries stand at the forefront of "resisting the enemies of our continent and the European model," as France and Spain prepare for elections next year, where the far right is expected to make significant gains.

The leaders also called for more flexibility in finding additional resources for the bloc ahead of the EU budget negotiations in October, with Sánchez urging Brussels to show "more empathy" with governments "on the front lines trying to respond to citizens' concerns".

Spain and France are among the countries concerned that pressure from major EU budget contributors, such as Germany and the Netherlands, to cut funds by hundreds of billions of euros will exacerbate inequality and reduce funding for farmers, a key issue in the elections.

In response to a question about ongoing EU negotiations on protecting industry from Chinese competition, the leaders emphasized the importance of securing commitments from Chinese investors on technology transfer in key industries such as the automotive industry, as Spain's efforts to attract Chinese investors have raised concerns among some stakeholders about the lack of guarantees.

Macron said, "On both sides of the Pyrenees, we have entities that need protection when they are exposed to unfair competition... If we are not united as Europeans, we will have no chance of success."